Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) [Embedded]

Course code

71409

Course type

Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8)

Professional accreditation status

This course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. Graduates of this course will be eligible for Practicing Membership of Speech Pathology Australia. The Association is concerned with the maintenance of professional standards through the accreditation of speech pathology degree programs in Australia.

Division

Tropical Health and Medicine

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Students must have obtained a GPA of not less than 5.0, calculated over the subjects completed for levels 1 and 2 of the program.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

An overall IELTS of 7.0 with a minimum writing score of 6.0; speaking score of 8.0; reading and listening score of 7.0.

For registration with Speech Pathology Australia where English is not your first language applicants must submit results of the Occupational English Test (OET) taken within the last 12 months with grades of at least 3 As and 1B on the OET test.

Additional selection requirements

The College Dean will invite applications for honours at the start of level 3.

Special admission requirements

A quota may be imposed on the number of students accepted for entry to the honours course depending on the availability of supervisors.

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

Clinical placement/professional practice:

This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements).

Students must provide evidence of being immune to hepatitis B within the first teaching period of their studies. A blood-borne viral disease may result in a student’s inability to obtain a placement in a Queensland Health facility and consequently may result in their inability to complete the requirements of the course as accredited by the relevant professional accrediting body. If a student has not complied with the above requirement by the last day of the first teaching period of their studies, their enrolment will be terminated immediately.

Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card):

This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements that may involve contact with children under 18 years of age. Students are required to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card (which involves a criminal history check undertaken by the Queensland Police) before the start of the first placement. Students must retain a current Suitability to Work with Children Card for the duration of their course, as failure to do so will result in the termination of their admission to the course.

Students must hold a current First Aid Certificate before undertaking professional or clinical placements. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate.

Some professional/clinical placement agencies may require that students hold an advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate before undertaking a professional or clinical placement. Students are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining this certificate.

Australian Federal Police check:

This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Some placement agencies may require students to produce a current Australian Federal Police check. This is in addition to the requirements for a Blue Card. If requested, students must provide written confirmation of clearance to the Clinical Placement Officer prior to commencement of clinical placement.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

96 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

The James Cook University Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) will prepare graduates to meet the Competency-Based Occupational Standards (CBOS: 2011) for speech pathology, as defined by Speech Pathology Australia.

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours), graduates will be able to:

Integrate and adapt a coherent and advanced body of theoretical and technical knowledge in diverse contexts as an entry level speech pathologist

Review professional and ethical frameworks, including the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics, and underlying principles and concepts, to inform responsible and accountable professional behaviours

Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in speech pathology and inter-professional practice and theory building

Assess children and adults with communication and swallowing disorders, and formulate, implement and evaluate management plans, in consultation with clients, families and other professionals

Provide diverse services to support client needs including supervision and training of non-speech pathology personnel working directly with clients, and preventative, educational and/or promotional programs in collaboration with client groups and other professionals

Communicate clearly and coherently through well-developed English language and numeracy proficiency, appropriate for entry into the speech pathology workforce

Reflect on current knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices, and plan continuing professional development to ensure the capacity to deliver current best practice

Apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan, execute and disseminate project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Students and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree. For more information refer to Inherent Requirements page.

Reasonable adjustments

Reasonable adjustments may be made to assist students manage additional circumstances impacting on their studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a degree. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course.

Candidature

Progression

Must successfully complete all level 1 and level 2 subjects before attempting any level 3 subject.

Must successfully complete all level 3 subjects before attempting any level 4 subject.

Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)

Clinical placement/professional practice:

This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense. (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements).